Manon Scialfa is a BIPOC dancer, poet and artist who moved to Montréal in 2021. She started her dance training in Modern, Neoclassical, and Contemporary techniques at the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA). Due to her exposure to a broad range of artistic processes and repertoires, her style is defined by fusion and versatility, especially influenced by working with Ron K. Brown/EVIDENCE’s afro-contemporary style and an initiation in afro-cuban dance with Rebecca Bliss. She continued her dance education in Montréal, where she joined the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal cohort of 2021-2024. Her art reflects her multicultural identity, love of sharing stories, and belief in radical happiness amid the social and political climates we live in.
Alice Jackson is a Hispanic-American multidisciplinary artist based in Montreal. She trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern and Theatre at the Performing Arts Factory in Maryland. She was exposed from a young age to jazz music, film, and history, which inspired her bold, expressive style and developed her rhythmic sensibility. In 2014, she moved to Montreal and received mentorship in Popping from Bibiman, training in House under Dazl – masters in their crafts – and competing in street dance battles. She continues to develop her versatility, always acknowledging the creators and founders of the art that inspires her, and a commitment to artistic integrity through proper education and guidance.
Fourth Culture is a natural extension of their teamwork, wherein Manon brings creative storytelling vision and Alice pushes physical and technical expression. Bonded though similar dance styles, performance experience, and cultural backgrounds, they share a curiosity and appreciation for dance history and the contributions of black culture to art. Witnessing and supporting each other, their mission is to study Vernacular Jazz, Swing, House, and Dramaturgy in order to develop a creative signature which crosses boundaries of contemporary dance, social dance, and storytelling with deep historical understanding and socio-political consciousness.